U.S. gas prices down, but up in California
CAMARILLO, Calif. – While gas prices nationwide are on a downward trend, California is experiencing a spike that could see prices top $4 a gallon before easing again, according to analysts.
A shortage in oil and other components used in refining California’s unique blend of less-polluting gas was one of the reasons for the price jump, industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday.
The highest average price in the nation was $3.66 a gallon in Los Angeles as of Friday.
Nationwide, the average price of gasoline dropped 2 cents over the past two weeks to $2.83 a gallon. The average national price for midgrade gas was $3.05, with premium going for $3.22, according to the Lundberg survey.
The cheapest price recorded in the continental United States was $2.42 a gallon in Jackson, Mississippi.
Cities see spike in violent crimes
CHICAGO – Police departments across the country that have spent years boasting about plummeting crime numbers are now scrambling to confront something many agencies have not seen in decades: more bloodshed.
Houston, St. Louis, New Orleans and Baltimore have all seen significant spikes in the number of homicides this year. The totals are up in other cities, too, including New York and Chicago.
In Los Angeles, the number of slayings dropped slightly, but the number of shooting victims jumped more than 18 percent. And in Milwaukee, a homicide on Wednesday put the total for the year at 84 – just two fewer than happened in all of 2014.
It’s too soon to assess whether the surge in killing marks the start of a trend after years of declines. But concern is growing that the increase could reflect a confluence of recent shifts, including deepening distrust of police that leads people to settle disputes themselves, officers who are afraid of being second-guessed and court rulings that make it easier than ever to own a gun. Tighter budgets that result in cuts to law-enforcement agencies could also play a role.
Cat survives trip in engine compartment
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A cat rescued from the engine of a pickup truck after a 28-mile ride from Pennsylvania to New Jersey now has a new home.
NJ.com reported that the cat was given to Jennifer Blunts and her boyfriend, John Tegethoff, at a ceremony Sunday. They will take the cat back to their Kunkletown, Pennsylvania home.
The adoption ends a tale that began earlier this month, when the orange-and-white feline crawled into the pickup’s engine compartment. Not knowing the cat was there, the driver traveled from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, to the Mars Chocolate North America plant in Hackettstown, New Jersey.
Employees there heard the cat’s meows and called police. It was freed with the help of the town’s public works department and Mars employees.
The unhurt cat was called Mars.
Letterman un-retires to jab Donald Trump
Some things are more important than retirement. David Letterman was called back into action this weekend with a brand-new, top-10 List inspired by the recent presidential candidacy of Donald Trump.
Although he’s been content since retiring as host of “Late Show” in May, Letterman called missing out on lampooning Trump’s White House bid “the biggest mistake of my life.”
Appearing with his pals Martin Short and Steve Martin at their live comedy show Friday night in San Antonio, he made up for lost time:
No. 10. was: That thing on his head was the gopher in “Caddyshack.”
No. 1. was: Thanks to Donald Trump, the Republican mascot is also an ass.
Associated Press
